St. Augustine and Anastasia Island, Florida - Present Day

Okay, everybody who thinks vampires should be staked since they can’t eat and drink regular food, go out in the sun, walk around on hallowed ground or say a prayer or two, raise your hand. Shame on you! Haven’t you heard? Vamps are a protected species these days, and hey, they can do all of the things mentioned above, as well as play a mean hand of bridge, hunt down the best prices at Wal-Mart and surf. Yeah surf! Woo hoo, who says afterlife can’t be fun? Francesca “Cesca” Marinelli is certainly enjoying hers. Well, she has been for the past eight or nine months anyway. Ever since she was rescued by a very nice human woman named Maggie from the coffin she’d been buried in for over two hundred years. Yep life is peachy; Cesca’s even got a new job working as a guide for Old Coast Ghost Tours. Apropos don’t you think? Who better to lead a tour of ghostly places than a two-hundred-twenty-seven year old vampire? Of course there are a couple of flies in the ointment, namely a guy Cesca nicknames Stony who wants her, and all vamps, dead. Then there’s the French couple who want her in their bed (vamp sex, uber-cool) and of course there’s the murder the cops want to pin on Cesca. Please, she can’t even bite people, and the scent of blood makes her sick (um, keep that last part to yourself, that would do nothing for her rep). Oh, and I really shouldn’t forget Deke Saber, a preternatural crimes investigator who makes Cesca want to learn about all of the fun things two people can do in the bedroom, the living room, or, well, pretty much anywhere the mood strikes.

Oh well, nobody ever said living LA VIDA VAMPIRE would be easy. And if they had, they’d have been lying! But don’t worry dear reader, I’m certain Cesca can figure out who the real killer is, and maybe even get to know Deke a bit better in the process.

I’m sure you get the point by now that Cesca is no ordinary vamp. But there’s more, she has certain unique characteristics that are, in fact, responsible for why she’s a vampire at all. Cesca has psychic powers, astral traveling and telepathy among others. Cesca was turned by a vampire who wanted to use her powers to cement his position of power; unfortunately, turning her affected her Gift, and the whole involuntary induction into vamp life made her a bit rebellious. Not exactly what he was hoping for. But that’s in the past and Cesca lives in the here and now. Bright, funny, friendly and loyal, Cesca is the kind of person who would make a great friend, and you’re certain to enjoy her first story.

Maggie, the woman who rescued Cesca, is her best friend, roommate and sponsor (all vamps have to have one). Neil is Maggie’s boyfriend, and though he wasn’t sure about Cesca at first, he’s warming up to her, and hey, he is teaching her to surf, that proves he likes her, right? Deke Saber, the hot guy mentioned above has a bit of history that could prove to be an unpleasant surprise for Cesca. Truthfully, he’s a bit thrown by Cesca, not just because she makes him want to kiss her, but she just doesn’t act like a vampire should. Weird, but he may be able to adjust...time will tell. Mick and Janie are tour guides and friends of Cesca’s. Stony, Gomer, Shalimar (all nicknames Cesca gives them), as well as French newlyweds Etienne and Yolette are a few of the people who take Cesca’s first tour and prove important throughout the book. Cosmil is a bit of a mystery; a man of power, he takes an interest in Cesca that could be either her salvation, or her downfall.

Nancy Haddock’s debut novel, LA VIDA VAMPIRE, is an intriguing mix of cozy mystery and paranormal romance. The author has done a superb job of creating characters people are sure to love and establishing a world where anything can, and probably will, happen. The first in the Oldest City Vampire series, this funny, clever novel is sure to hook readers and leave them wanting more. Buy your copy of LA VIDA VAMPIRE today and get to know the first vampire ever compared to Gidget. Cesca is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Lori Ann